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As Buhari’s govt announces new appointments during Tinubu’s inauguration Leading Reporters
Headlines

Drama: As Buhari’s govt announces new appointments during Tinubu’s inauguration

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The spokesperson of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, on Monday, announced new appointments made by the former leader.

The announcement was made in a statement sent to journalists just before 11 a.m., about the time President Bola Tinubu was being inaugurated.

Mr Shehu, however, said Mr Buhari made the appointments on Friday although the announcements were made Monday morning.

The six persons appointed are to be executive directors of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and they were confirmed by the former president after their names were sent to him, Mr Shehu said.

Read Mr Shehu’s full statement below.

President Muhammadu Buhari May 26th approved the nominations submitted to him for approval as Executive Directors for the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA following the departure of the holders of the positions, whose tenure ended on 31st March.

Those appointed to the new positions are:

1. Ije Osagie (Edo State) Executive Director Engineering

2. Betsy Iheabunike (Anambra State) Executive Director Marketing

3. Lawal Umar Lalu (Katsina State) Executive Director Programmes

4. Ayo Adewuyi (Osun State) Executive Director News

5. Adamu Sambo (Adamawa State) Executive Director Special Duties

6. Nansel Nimyel (Plateau State) Executive Director Administration and Training

7. Abdullahi Ismail Ahmed (Kaduna State) Executive Director Finance.

The appointees are to serve for an initial three years, renewable for another three years.

Garba Shehu

Senior Special Assistant to the President

(Media and Publicity)

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Breaking: Meet 16th President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sworn in Leading Reporters
Headlines

Breaking: Meet 16th President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu Sworn in

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The swearing in ceremony which took place at Eagles Square Abuja, was done by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Tinubu was accompanied to the podium by his wife Oluremi, outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari and his wife Aisha and security detail.

Taking the oath of office, Tinubu promised to discharge his duties as President in line with the constitution of the country, and to the best of his ability.

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Plans to incapacitate Igbos economically, militarize South East unveiled Leading Reporters
HeadlinesOpinion

Plans to incapacitate Igbos economically, militarize South East unveiled:  El-Rufai, Kwakwanso,  FFK to lead anti-Igbo crusade

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The 2023 general election has come and gone, but the dust it raised will last a time.  A close source of the President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hinted at an impending plan by the Tinubu-Shettima-led APC government to decimate and incapacitate Igbos economically. 

Part of the plan is to review and revoke many Certificates of Occupancies traceable to Igbos as well as demolish and relocate markets hitherto dominated by the Igbos. Abuja, Lagos, and Kano fall within the first phase of the project of this anti-Igbo campaign.  

Nyesom Wike would be used as a strong anti-Igbo force in the South-South region, the source hinted.

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, Kwakwanso of Kano State, Lagos State Governor Sanwo Olu, Femi Fani Kayode FFK and Barrister Festus Keyamo have been ‘mobilized’ to lead the anti-Igbo economic warfare.  They will hit the ground running immediately after the inauguration. Aside from the anti-Igbo economic warfare, there are plans to militarize the South East Geopolitical Zone. 

“The military would be massively detailed to Southeast to ensure that Igbos are suppressed, with a special target at the youths who they believe would mount a resistance through series of protest and a regional campaign for self-determination”.

Part of the plan is to woo the media as partners-in-the-game.  FFK would be in charge of managing the media and strategic media campaign that would see most media house either aligning with the government or having their stations constantly subjected to paying fine.  Few stations have been marked for total revocation of their licenses.

“Tinubu has already planned and voted billions of Naira to woo the media.  They are already identifying willing media partners who will suppress dissenting voices.   The media would be so controlled that anti-government remarks may earn instant closure or outrightly withdrawal of the operating licenses of media houses seen as not being part of the government.

“Currently, FFK is calling and reaching out to many pressmen from the Southern part of Nigeria.  Part of his job would be to lobby, finance and coerce the press into either looking away in silence or aligning with the -government’s anti-Igbo policies.

Another group stationed in Europe and America would serve as a lobby group for the government.  Their jobs would entail disrupting information and presenting it before the Western world as the collective desire of the people.

The source worries that since the fall of Libya, Nigeria has been targeted under a scheme called “expendable”.

Recall that the anti-Igbo campaign greeted the last election where Igbos were profiled, humiliated and thoroughly disfranchised in Lagos.  It was stated that the humiliation the President-Elect suffered in the last general election in Lagos State (considered his strongest hold) would not go unpunished. Recall that Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu lost his stronghold Lagos to Mr. Peter Obi, a feat Tinubu was said to have vowed would be utterly altered.

Part of the plan is to ensure that Igbos are demoralized into participating in political activities, following their recent political reawakening which saw the President-Elect losing in their entire South East, and most states in South-South.  Aside from winning the Federal Capital Territory, Peter Obi is believed to have massively won in North Central States like Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa.

The thematic objective of the exercise, according to the source is to box Igbos to a corner where they would recoil politically and rendered economically unstable.

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Headlines

Meet 70year old Ben-Lutnaan Duamlung who graduated with 4.32 CGPA from UniJos

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Age many will say is just number. This is true of 70 year old Ben-Lutnaan Duamlong who recently graduated from the department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Jos. Not only that Duamlong graduated at that age, he graduated with a starling 4.32 CGPA.

Ben-Lutnaan Duamlong graduated top of his class from the University of Jos, Plateau State, a feat many have described as astonishingly outstanding for someone of his age.

At 70, he became the oldest graduate from the university during its just concluded 33rd & 34th Combined Convocation.

Congratulations to Mr. Duamlong. He is a huge inspiration for both the young and the old.

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Jailed Ekweremadu turns a teacher, reformer and prayer warrior in UK prison LeadingReporters
Headlines

Jailed Ekweremadu turns a teacher, reformer and prayer warrior in UK prison

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

The jailed former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu is said to have turned into a teacher and reformer in a United Kingdom prison where he is currently serving a jail term for attempted kidney harvesting. 

Ekweremadu, who is currently serving a jail term alongside his wife Beatrice Ekweremadu and a medical practitioner Dr. Obinna Obete is said to have volunteered himself as an English Teacher for inmates mainly from non-English speaking part of Europe, Arab and Asia.

An inmate who recently was discharged and who shared the same space with Ekweremadu in jail said that aside from teaching English, Ekweremadu spends most of his time reading letters from well-wishers, studying the scriptures and praying.

The ex-inmate who will not want his name in print said that Ekweremadu has been of very outstanding behaviour.  He encourages other inmates to be of good characters and to see life beyond the prison walls. The source further said that Ekweremadu periodically breaks down in tears and at some point, resorts to reclusiveness when those moments of despair sets in.

Recall that an Old Bailey Jury most recently sentenced Ekweremadu and his wife to several jail terms for the exploitation of a young poor boy whom they brought from the streets of Lagos Nigeria to London with the intention of harvesting his Kidney to donate to their ailing daughter Sonia Ekweremadu.

They were handed down different jail terms along Dr. Obinna Obete who is believed to have acted as a facilitator for the organ harvesting.

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Headlines

Emotions greet Gowon’s proposed prayer meeting in Umuahia;

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

“his presence a rude reminder of a bloody war”

The former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) may have shelved his proposed prayer meeting in Umuahia, emotions are still raging on why such invitation should at all, be extended to him. The proposed prayer session which was at the instance of the Governor-Elect of Abia State, Alex Otti would feature personalities from religious organizations, organized private sector and other invited guests.

The invitation was greeted with a lot of protests and emotions across South East Region of Nigeria.  It was generally believed that his invitation would become a rude reminder of bloody policies that caused the deaths of over three million Biafran children who perished during the war.  General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd) was the Military Head of State during the three year war.  Gowon floated a policy that hindered the supply of food and drugs to hungry and dying children as a way of weakening the Biafrans who opted out of Nigeria State.

General Gowon was the head of state during the Nigeria-Biafran war that lasted between 1967 and 1970. Although the war ended with the a “No Victor, No Vanquished” verdict, the war saw the death of millions of Igbo children who were starved to death, following a policy implemented by Gowon’s government that blocked off food and drugs supply to dying Igbo children.

Information availed LeadingReporters suggested that the invitation to Gen. Gowon to attend the prayer session may have been canceled.  Many believe that the cancellation may not be unconnected with reports of planned protests and the attendant insecurity that may arise because of his presence for a national prayer in Umuahia.

Some of the respondents spoken to believe that General Gowon has not toed the path of restitution by openly condemning the bloody war and apologizing for the role he played that led to the deaths of millions of Igbos. 

“One thing is repentance.  Another is restitution.  General Gowon was part of the bloody leadership that caused and supervised the deaths of countless Igbos during the infamous Nigerian-Biafran war.  If he claims to have repented and became a minister of the gospel, fine.  But he needs to restitute for the deaths he caused.  He needs to pray for forgiveness to God and the families that lost their loved ones during the war.  Without that, his actions are sheer hypocrisy.  Said Mr. Dan

“Let him not come.  Alex Otti should do everything possible to avoid starting on a controversial note.  He should not lose the trust reposed on him by the people.  General Gowon has fences to mend.  He has blood to account for.  He should come.  Echoed Mr. Chuks

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Meet MykeyPonda Fone the “Put It Inside my Nigga LeadingReporters
Entertainment

Meet MykeyPonda Fone the “Put It Inside my Nigga” crooner featuring Actor Emeka Ike

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

“Put It Inside My Nigga” is the trending music in town now.  The music is a blend of great beats, lyrics and edutainment that featured popular Nollywood Actor and international business tycoon,  Emeka Ike.  Although the music is majorly enjoyed among the GenZ, it also has a word for adults, and the nation at large.

MykeyPonda said that the thematic objective of the music is to stir a new consciousness around creativity, self-reliance, dignity of labour and the need to understand the virtue of sacrifice in the pursuit of success.

In an interview with LeadingReporters, the Put It Inside crooner said that the lyric of the music is as fine as the beat in the sense that the music tends to stir a new consciousness that emphasizes the need to “put In efforts, put In creativity, put in hard work and sweat” in your success quest.  While the wordings are the hook, the message it carries is the thematic objective of the music”.  Mikeyponda said.

MykeyPonda went further to tell why Emeka Ike was featured in the music. “I literary dragged Emeka Ike into this.  We all know that Emeka Ike is a popular Nollywood Actor who has carved a niche for himself.  He has his style and ideologies of entertainment.  Above all, he is someone who has the youths at heart.  There could not have been a better person for this project.  Emeka’s ideologies tally with the objective and the message in the music.  Watch his movies, and check out his antecedents and general attributes, and you will see a young Nigerian who understands entertainment differently by leveraging the same to preach the virtues of hard work, sacrifice, dedication and resilience among the youths. I simply told him that the time to speak to the youths through music is now and that is exactly what we have done” 

The music which is billed to be released and streamed from 29th May is a wake-up call to the youths to put inside all that needs to be put inside if success must be achieved.

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Just In: About 37 bank accounts linked to REA MD, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad Leading Reporters
Investigation

Just In: About 37 bank accounts linked to REA MD, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

Fresh reports have uncovered over 37 bank accounts linked to the Managing Director/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad.

The Eagle Online recalls that the 39-year-old MD was recently dragged before the Code of Conduct Bureau for an alleged infraction.

Ahmad was accused of alleged breach of contract code.

In the latest discovery, the 37 bank accounts were in Ahmad’s name, that of a supposed relative, companies and a amorphous Non Governmental Organisation, but all with the same Bank Verification Number: 22266427052, linked to the MD’s account

The startling discovery is the result of a discreet investigation by this medium.

On the long list are: two in Standard Chartered Bank with the name: Needle Technology; five in Guarantee Trust Bank in the same name, while in his personal name, with variations in how the three names, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, were arranged, has six with GT, four with First Bank, one with United Bank for Africa, three with Fidelity Bank, one in Stanbic IBTC with the account name, Salihijo Ahmad Foundation.

Others in his name are one in Jaiz Bank, two at Access Bank, four at First Bank and two at Ecobank.

Also found linked to the REA MD’s BVN are two GTB accounts of an NGO, Flexisaf Foundation; two in Jaiz Bank with the name: Flexisaf Edusoft Limited; another: Velocity Group Limited in Keystone Bank; one En Consulting And Projects Limited in First Bank.

The others are two under the name: Bilikisu Ahmad Salihijo, are domiciled in Zenith Bank and Jaiz Bank with all the aforementioned accounts opened with varying dates of birth of the operator.

Insiders said the accounts have come in handy when the owner desired to conceal his shares of proceeds accruing from monkey businesses he has hands in, in the agency created in 2006 as part of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.

Last year, a Civil Society Organisation, Stop Corruption in Nigeria Foundation, called Engr. Ahmad and the REA’s Executive Director, Technical Service, Engr. Barka Sajor Joda, out.

This was done by a petition against them to the Minister for Power, Abubakar Aliyu, in which the CSO accused the duo of N2 billion misapplication.

In it, Ahmad and Joda were alleged to have awarded supervision contracts to the tune of N2 billion to 37 companies, most of which have no background in engineering to oversee jobs contracted out to engineering firms.

The report added that both sidestepped due process and bypassed over 150 engineers in REA’s employ to award the supervision to their ill-qualified cronies with each receiving N49 million.

By that account, many of the beneficiaries of the imprudence eventually engaged the services of some REA engineers with peanuts to do the jobs on their behalves.

The petitioner’s application, dated March 10, 2022 and entitled: “Corruption Alert in Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Again, reads in part: “We have it on good authority that some unwholesome activities have been going on unabated at REA since February 2021 till date. Hon. Minister Sir, it would interest you to learn that the Managing Director and Executive Director Technical Service have turned your agency into personal business ventures where they now award what they tag ‘Consultancy Service’ almost on a weekly basis! ‘Consultancy Services’ contracts were awarded by the duo without due process. A breakdown of details of the consultancy services used to siphon funds from the coffer of REA is attached as Annexure.

“We discovered that the Agency has expended at least Forty Nine Million Naira (N49 million) on each ‘Consultancy Service’ contract and close to total of Two Billion Naira (N2bn) in above regard in the last one year. The funds expended in this regard do not constitute line budget of the ministry, instead, same is diverted from the funds meant for Monitoring and sundry projects and consequently shrinking the budget and limiting the effectiveness of Monitoring Unit and projects mainly because some officers are hellbent on embezzling the funds of REA. These are verifiable facts and we urge you and the relevant bodies, authorities and agencies to investigate every shred of our petition.”

In a similar fashion to that of his MD with whom Sajor is accused of wheeling and dealing together in the agency, the latter has 14 bank accounts to his BVN: 22169699916, seven in GTB, six of which are in his name, while one is under the name of Estate of Joseph Joda Sajou.

Three are in Standard Chartered Bank, same number in Ecobank, while two are in Access Bank.

Meanwhile, an aggrieved consultant in the Advanced Cargo Declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme, Donnington Nigeria Limited, has written the Code of Conduct Bureau over the alleged unlawful role played by Ahmad in the award of the project.

The firm in a letter of complaint dated April 25, 2023 and addressed to the CCB’s Chairman, specifically accused Ahmad of conflict of Interest as well as breach of Section 5 and 6 of the CCB and the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act.

According to the petitioner, it was wrong and unlawful for Ahmad to hold the position of a Director in Velocity Logistics and Marine Services Limited (Velocity), while at the same time being the boss of the NREA.

Donnington Nigeria Limited in the letter recalled that while Velocity “was incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with RC:666694 with Ahmad as one of the directors in September 14, 2006, the federal government however appointed Ahmad as the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of REA in 2019”, adding: “The said appointment was accepted by Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, without relinquishing his Directorship of the private Company, Velocity Logistics & Marine Services Ltd.”

Lead lawyer to the firm, Dr. R. O. Atabo (SAN), went ahead to point out: “Ahmad, being a prominent personality in this administration, at the helm of affairs of REA and on the corridors of power, must have directly or indirectly influenced the ‘No Objection’ granted on 24th November, 2022 By Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for the fraudulent award of Contract for the Implementation of Advance Cargo Declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme Regime to include Crude Oil Tracking to five companies, including Velocity Logistics & Marine Services Ltd, on the Board of which Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad remains an active director, but must have deliberately refused to disclose the fact on oath to BPP, who in due diligence, would not have issued ‘the No Objection’, if the fact of such conflict of interest was disclosed. A suit has been instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja in this regard.

“That the object of Velocity is such that Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad’s continuous sojourning as a Director of Velocity Logistics & Marine Services Ltd even as he serves as the MD/CEO of REA is tantamount to conflict of interest and contravention of Code of Conduct as a public officer as provided in Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. Consequent upon the forgoing ’Dr. Reuben Atabo’ SAN humbly request the CCB to use its good offices pursuant to Section 23 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act to investigate and sanction this impunity.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, we humbly request that you use your good offices, pursuant to Section 23 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, to investigate and sanction this impunity, recklessness, abuse of office and breach of Laws appropriately.”

In the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja last year, the firm had asked the court to stop the Federal Government from interfering in the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note Scheme.

Defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transportation.

The suit was as a result of the alleged breach of the contract agreement by the Federal Government.

According to the plaintiff, proposal for the re-introduction of Cargo Tracking Scheme as a source of foreign exchange earnings for the government was approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari on May 4, 2021 for implementation of Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme Regime to include Crude Oil for exportation.

The Plaintiff said after the approval, it engaged two technical partners, Messrs Vortexa Limited, UK and OPE World Dubai UAE respectively.

The suit said: “The Plaintiff/Applicant brought the Technical Partners from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United Arab Emirate (UAE) for the display of the Advanced Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Regime to the Government agencies of the Defendants/Respondents on the requests of the Defendants and after the display, the agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria were Satisfied.

“Following the request by the 1st Defendant and some of its agencies particularly the 37 and 4th Defendants, the Plaintiff/Applicant embarked on the procurement of a portal wherein it was charged about $370,000 and a deposit payment of $170,000 was made.

“The Plaintiff has expended over $3,000,000 in the process of complying with the requirements F. A “No Objection” Certificate was to be issued by the bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) which is the final stage of the process but the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) in defiance of the Presidential approval of May 4, 2021 has failed/ neglected to issue the certificate.

“It is necessary for this Honourable Court to restrain the Defendants from engaging any other consultants to execute the Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme.”

Donnington Nigeria Limited accordingly prayed the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining the respondent either by themselves, agents, privies, and or servants from engaging another Consultant to implement the Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Regime or taking any steps or further steps in respect of the subject matter of this suit, other than the Plaintiff/Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The plaintiffs also prayed the court to make an order against the government of Nigeria from interfering or stopping the further implementation of the Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Regime already commenced by the plaintiff/Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The firm prayed for an order restraining the Defendants either by themselves, agents, privies, assigns, and or servants including any agency or agencies of the federal government of Nigeria from engaging any Consultant(s), Companies or firms, or nominating any other firm other than the Plaintiff/Applicant which was commenced through the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources sometime in 2021 pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. Newscredit witnessngr.com

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37 Bank Accounts Linked To BVN Of MD Of REA and Director Engr. Barka Sajor Joda Uncovered LeadingReporters
Headlines

37 Bank Accounts Linked To BVN Of MD Of REA and ED Engr. Barka Sajor Joda Uncovered

by Leading Reporters
written by Leading Reporters

No fewer than 37 bank accounts linked to the Managing Director/CEO of Rural Electrification Agency, Engr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, have been uncovered.

The Eagle Online recalls that the 39-year-old MD was recently dragged before the Code of Conduct Bureau for an alleged infraction.

Ahmad was accused of alleged breach of contract code.

In the latest discovery, the 37 bank accounts were in Ahmad’s name, that of a supposed relative, companies and a amorphous Non Governmental Organisation, but all with the same Bank Verification Number: 22266427052, linked to the MD’s account

The startling discovery is the result of a discreet investigation by this medium.

On the long list are: two in Standard Chartered Bank with the name: Needle Technology; five in Guarantee Trust Bank in the same name, while in his personal name, with variations in how the three names, Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, were arranged, has six with GT, four with First Bank, one with United Bank for Africa, three with Fidelity Bank, one in Stanbic IBTC with the account name, Salihijo Ahmad Foundation.

Others in his name are one in Jaiz Bank, two at Access Bank, four at First Bank and two at Ecobank.

Also found linked to the REA MD’s BVN are two GTB accounts of an NGO, Flexisaf Foundation; two in Jaiz Bank with the name: Flexisaf Edusoft Limited; another: Velocity Group Limited in Keystone Bank; one En Consulting And Projects Limited in First Bank.

The others are two under the name: Bilikisu Ahmad Salihijo, are domiciled in Zenith Bank and Jaiz Bank with all the aforementioned accounts opened with varying dates of birth of the operator.

Insiders said the accounts have come in handy when the owner desired to conceal his shares of proceeds accruing from monkey businesses he has hands in, in the agency created in 2006 as part of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.

Last year, a Civil Society Organisation, Stop Corruption in Nigeria Foundation, called Engr. Ahmad and the REA’s Executive Director, Technical Service, Engr. Barka Sajor Joda, out.

This was done by a petition against them to the Minister for Power, Abubakar Aliyu, in which the CSO accused the duo of N2 billion misapplication.

In it, Ahmad and Joda were alleged to have awarded supervision contracts to the tune of N2 billion to 37 companies, most of which have no background in engineering to oversee jobs contracted out to engineering firms.

The report added that both sidestepped due process and bypassed over 150 engineers in REA’s employ to award the supervision to their ill-qualified cronies with each receiving N49 million.

By that account, many of the beneficiaries of the imprudence eventually engaged the services of some REA engineers with peanuts to do the jobs on their behalves.

The petitioner’s application, dated March 10, 2022 and entitled: “Corruption Alert in Rural Electrification Agency (REA) Again, reads in part: “We have it on good authority that some unwholesome activities have been going on unabated at REA since February 2021 till date. Hon. Minister Sir, it would interest you to learn that the Managing Director and Executive Director Technical Service have turned your agency into personal business ventures where they now award what they tag ‘Consultancy Service’ almost on a weekly basis! ‘Consultancy Services’ contracts were awarded by the duo without due process. A breakdown of details of the consultancy services used to siphon funds from the coffer of REA is attached as Annexure.

“We discovered that the Agency has expended at least Forty Nine Million Naira (N49 million) on each ‘Consultancy Service’ contract and close to total of Two Billion Naira (N2bn) in above regard in the last one year. The funds expended in this regard do not constitute line budget of the ministry, instead, same is diverted from the funds meant for Monitoring and sundry projects and consequently shrinking the budget and limiting the effectiveness of Monitoring Unit and projects mainly because some officers are hellbent on embezzling the funds of REA. These are verifiable facts and we urge you and the relevant bodies, authorities and agencies to investigate every shred of our petition.”

In a similar fashion to that of his MD with whom Sajor is accused of wheeling and dealing together in the agency, the latter has 14 bank accounts to his BVN: 22169699916, seven in GTB, six of which are in his name, while one is under the name of Estate of Joseph Joda Sajou.

Three are in Standard Chartered Bank, same number in Ecobank, while two are in Access Bank.

Meanwhile, an aggrieved consultant in the Advanced Cargo Declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme, Donnington Nigeria Limited, has written the Code of Conduct Bureau over the alleged unlawful role played by Ahmad in the award of the project.

The firm in a letter of complaint dated April 25, 2023 and addressed to the CCB’s Chairman, specifically accused Ahmad of conflict of Interest as well as breach of Section 5 and 6 of the CCB and the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act.

According to the petitioner, it was wrong and unlawful for Ahmad to hold the position of a Director in Velocity Logistics and Marine Services Limited (Velocity), while at the same time being the boss of the NREA.

Donnington Nigeria Limited in the letter recalled that while Velocity “was incorporated at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with RC:666694 with Ahmad as one of the directors in September 14, 2006, the federal government however appointed Ahmad as the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of REA in 2019”, adding: “The said appointment was accepted by Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, without relinquishing his Directorship of the private Company, Velocity Logistics & Marine Services Ltd.”

Lead lawyer to the firm, Dr. R. O. Atabo (SAN), went ahead to point out: “Ahmad, being a prominent personality in this administration, at the helm of affairs of REA and on the corridors of power, must have directly or indirectly influenced the ‘No Objection’ granted on 24th November, 2022 By Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for the fraudulent award of Contract for the Implementation of Advance Cargo Declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme Regime to include Crude Oil Tracking to five companies, including Velocity Logistics & Marine Services Ltd, on the Board of which Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad remains an active director, but must have deliberately refused to disclose the fact on oath to BPP, who in due diligence, would not have issued ‘the No Objection’, if the fact of such conflict of interest was disclosed. A suit has been instituted at the Federal High Court, Abuja in this regard.

“That the object of Velocity is such that Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad’s continuous sojourning as a Director of Velocity Logistics & Marine Services Ltd even as he serves as the MD/CEO of REA is tantamount to conflict of interest and contravention of Code of Conduct as a public officer as provided in Sections 5 and 6 of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. Consequent upon the forgoing ’Dr. Reuben Atabo’ SAN humbly request the CCB to use its good offices pursuant to Section 23 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act to investigate and sanction this impunity.

“Consequent upon the foregoing, we humbly request that you use your good offices, pursuant to Section 23 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, to investigate and sanction this impunity, recklessness, abuse of office and breach of Laws appropriately.”

In the suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja last year, the firm had asked the court to stop the Federal Government from interfering in the implementation of the Cargo Tracking Note Scheme.

Defendants in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transportation.

The suit was as a result of the alleged breach of the contract agreement by the Federal Government.

According to the plaintiff, proposal for the re-introduction of Cargo Tracking Scheme as a source of foreign exchange earnings for the government was approved by the President Muhammadu Buhari on May 4, 2021 for implementation of Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme Regime to include Crude Oil for exportation.

The Plaintiff said after the approval, it engaged two technical partners, Messrs Vortexa Limited, UK and OPE World Dubai UAE respectively.

The suit said: “The Plaintiff/Applicant brought the Technical Partners from the United Kingdom (UK) and the United Arab Emirate (UAE) for the display of the Advanced Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Regime to the Government agencies of the Defendants/Respondents on the requests of the Defendants and after the display, the agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria were Satisfied.

“Following the request by the 1st Defendant and some of its agencies particularly the 37 and 4th Defendants, the Plaintiff/Applicant embarked on the procurement of a portal wherein it was charged about $370,000 and a deposit payment of $170,000 was made.

“The Plaintiff has expended over $3,000,000 in the process of complying with the requirements F. A “No Objection” Certificate was to be issued by the bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) which is the final stage of the process but the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) in defiance of the Presidential approval of May 4, 2021 has failed/ neglected to issue the certificate.

“It is necessary for this Honourable Court to restrain the Defendants from engaging any other consultants to execute the Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Scheme.”

Donnington Nigeria Limited accordingly prayed the court for an interlocutory injunction restraining the respondent either by themselves, agents, privies, and or servants from engaging another Consultant to implement the Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Regime or taking any steps or further steps in respect of the subject matter of this suit, other than the Plaintiff/Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The plaintiffs also prayed the court to make an order against the government of Nigeria from interfering or stopping the further implementation of the Advanced Cargo declaration/Cargo Tracking Note Regime already commenced by the plaintiff/Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The firm prayed for an order restraining the Defendants either by themselves, agents, privies, assigns, and or servants including any agency or agencies of the federal government of Nigeria from engaging any Consultant(s), Companies or firms, or nominating any other firm other than the Plaintiff/Applicant which was commenced through the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources sometime in 2021 pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit. News credit: TheBridgenewsng.com

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